Teacher Resources

Environmental Education Program Guide

We thank you for your interest in conservation and encourage you to explore our Environmental Education Program Guide. Please contact us for the opportunity to enhance your students’ appreciation of Iowa’s environment.

For questions related to planning a field trip, teacher responsibilities, field trips rules and programming options, please see the Program Guide below. For a printable version, click here.

Contact the Conservation Education staff at Wickiup Hill Learning Center, (319) 892-6485 to select possible field trip dates and locations or to arrange a field trip planning meeting. Field trips can be scheduled up to one year or season in advance. A naturalist can speak with you to help plan activities and discuss naturalist/teacher responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can we stay at Wickiup and how many programs can we do?Typically our programs are 45 min-1 hour in length, depending on the age of the students. Depending on the size of your group, you can stay for just one program (45 min-1 hour) or have up to 4 in one day. We have 4 naturalists on staff most days and are able to rotate the students in the different programs throughout the day.

This is just an example of a typical day – can be modified to fit your needs!

How do we pay for our field trip?We can send you an invoice after your trip, or you can pay the day of with a check or credit card (MC, VISA, DISCOVER).

What if it rains?We can still provide indoor activities for your group. We cannot normally reschedule except perhaps for a preschool or small group. Our calendar fills up quickly!

We have students in wheelchairs, is the area handicap accessible?Yes, the building is handicap accessible. Some of the trails, however, may be difficult to navigate, depending on the type of wheelchair used, the physical condition of the user and other factors.

Exhibit Rules

Teachers, parents, grandparents, guardians and chaperons –
Please enjoy the Wickiup experience with your young ones. Do not let them run about without supervisions, respect or manners and common courtesy.

Once you pass the musical door and are on the colored floor, kids can gently touch and play with items. However, please keep food and drink out of this area and on the front tile area only.

Exhibit items need to remain in their designated areas so that visitors to follow may enjoy the Wickiup experience as well.

The elevator is not considered an exhibit activity/ride. The elevator should only be used in necessary cases.

There are many places to climb at Wickiup Hill. The frog and handle of the magnifying class were built for children to climb. The top of magnifying glass, the muskrat hut, the inside and outside of the dead tree and any railings were not designed for climbing. Please watch carefully for kids climbing these areas. Also, please help us keep feet off any walls.

Welcome in, have some fun, let your imagination run. But show respect, use quiet talk, and please remind your feet to walk.